Français

Residential Tenancies Act, 2006

S.O. 2006, CHAPTER 17

Consolidation Period: From October 8, 2008 to the e-Laws currency date.

Last amendment: 2008, c. 14, s. 58.

SKIP TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS

PART I
INTRODUCTION

Purposes of Act

1.  The purposes of this Act are to provide protection for residential tenants from unlawful rent increases and unlawful evictions, to establish a framework for the regulation of residential rents, to balance the rights and responsibilities of residential landlords and tenants and to provide for the adjudication of disputes and for other processes to informally resolve disputes. 2006, c. 17, s. 1.

Interpretation

2.  (1)  In this Act,

“Board” means the Landlord and Tenant Board; (“Commission de la location immobilière”)

“care home” means a residential complex that is occupied or intended to be occupied by persons for the purpose of receiving care services, whether or not receiving the services is the primary purpose of the occupancy; (“maison de soins”)

“care services” means, subject to the regulations, health care services, rehabilitative or therapeutic services or services that provide assistance with the activities of daily living; (“services en matière de soins”)

“guideline”, when used with respect to the charging of rent, means the guideline determined under section 120; (“taux légal”)

“land lease community” means the land on which one or more occupied land lease homes are situate and includes the rental units and the land, structures, services and facilities of which the landlord retains possession and that are intended for the common use and enjoyment of the tenants of the landlord; (“zone résidentielle à baux fonciers”)

“land lease home” means a dwelling, other than a mobile home, that is a permanent structure where the owner of the dwelling leases the land used or intended for use as the site for the dwelling; (“maison à bail foncier”)

“landlord” includes,

(a) the owner of a rental unit or any other person who permits occupancy of a rental unit, other than a tenant who occupies a rental unit in a residential complex and who permits another person to also occupy the unit or any part of the unit,

(b) the heirs, assigns, personal representatives and successors in title of a person referred to in clause (a), and

(c) a person, other than a tenant occupying a rental unit in a residential complex, who is entitled to possession of the residential complex and who attempts to enforce any of the rights of a landlord under a tenancy agreement or this Act, including the right to collect rent; (“locateur”)

“Minister” means the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; (“ministre”)

“Ministry” means the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; (“ministère”)

“mobile home” means a dwelling that is designed to be made mobile and that is being used as a permanent residence; (“maison mobile”)

“mobile home park” means the land on which one or more occupied mobile homes are located and includes the rental units and the land, structures, services and facilities of which the landlord retains possession and that are intended for the common use and enjoyment of the tenants of the landlord; (“parc de maisons mobiles”)

“municipal taxes and charges” means taxes charged to a landlord by a municipality and charges levied on a landlord by a municipality and includes taxes levied on a landlord’s property under Division B of Part IX of the Education Act and taxes levied on a landlord’s property in unorganized territory, but “municipal taxes and charges” does not include,

(a) charges for inspections done by a municipality on a residential complex related to an alleged breach of a health, safety, housing or maintenance standard,

(b) charges for emergency repairs carried out by a municipality on a residential complex,

(c) charges for work in the nature of a capital expenditure carried out by a municipality,

(d) charges for work, services or non-emergency repairs performed by a municipality in relation to a landlord’s non-compliance with a by-law,

(e) penalties, interest, late payment fees or fines,

(f) any amount spent by a municipality under subsection 219 (1) or any administrative fee applied to that amount under subsection 219 (2), or

(g) any other prescribed charges; (“redevances et impôts municipaux”)

“non-profit housing co-operative” means a non-profit housing co-operative under the Co-operative Corporations Act; (“coopérative de logement sans but lucratif”)

“person”, or any expression referring to a person, means an individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, trust or body corporate, or an individual in his or her capacity as a trustee, executor, administrator or other legal representative; (“personne”)

“prescribed” means prescribed by the regulations; (“prescrit”)

“regulations” means the regulations made under this Act; (“règlements”)

“rent” includes the amount of any consideration paid or given or required to be paid or given by or on behalf of a tenant to a landlord or the landlord’s agent for the right to occupy a rental unit and for any services and facilities and any privilege, accommodation or thing that the landlord provides for the tenant in respect of the occupancy of the rental unit, whether or not a separate charge is made for services and facilities or for the privilege, accommodation or thing, but “rent” does not include,

(a) an amount paid by a tenant to a landlord to reimburse the landlord for property taxes paid by the landlord with respect to a mobile home or a land lease home owned by a tenant, or

(b) an amount that a landlord charges a tenant of a rental unit in a care home for care services or meals; (“loyer”)

“rental unit” means any living accommodation used or intended for use as rented residential premises, and “rental unit” includes,

(a) a site for a mobile home or site on which there is a land lease home used or intended for use as rented residential premises, and

(b) a room in a boarding house, rooming house or lodging house and a unit in a care home; (“logement locatif”)

“residential complex” means,

(a) a building or related group of buildings in which one or more rental units are located,

(b) a mobile home park or land lease community,

(c) a site that is a rental unit,

(d) a care home, and,

includes all common areas and services and facilities available for the use of its residents; (“ensemble d’habitation”)

“residential unit” means any living accommodation used or intended for use as residential premises, and “residential unit” includes,

(a) a site for a mobile home or on which there is a land lease home used or intended for use as a residential premises, and

(b) a room in a boarding house, rooming house or lodging house and a unit in a care home; (“habitation”)

“Rules” means the rules of practice and procedure made by the Board under section 176 of this Act and section 25.1 of the Statutory Powers Procedure Act; (“règles”)

“services and facilities” includes,

(a) furniture, appliances and furnishings,

(b) parking and related facilities,

(c) laundry facilities,

(d) elevator facilities,

(e) common recreational facilities,

(f) garbage facilities and related services,

(g) cleaning and maintenance services,

(h) storage facilities,

(i) intercom systems,

(j) cable television facilities,

(k) heating facilities and services,

(l) air-conditioning facilities,

(m) utilities and related services, and

(n) security services and facilities; (“services et installations”)

“spouse” means a person,

(a) to whom the person is married, or

(b) with whom the person is living in a conjugal relationship outside marriage, if the two persons,

(i) have cohabited for at least one year,

(ii) are together the parents of a child, or

(iii) have together entered into a cohabitation agreement under section 53 of the Family Law Act; (“conjoint”)

“subtenant” means the person to whom a tenant gives the right under section 97 to occupy a rental unit; (“sous-locataire”)

“superintendent’s premises” means a rental unit used by a person employed as a janitor, manager, security guard or superintendent and located in the residential complex with respect to which the person is so employed; (“logement de concierge”)

“tenancy agreement” means a written, oral or implied agreement between a tenant and a landlord for occupancy of a rental unit and includes a licence to occupy a rental unit; (“convention de location”)

“tenant” includes a person who pays rent in return for the right to occupy a rental unit and includes the tenant’s heirs, assigns and personal representatives, but “tenant” does not include a person who has the right to occupy a rental unit by virtue of being,

(a) a co-owner of the residential complex in which the rental unit is located, or

(b) a shareholder of a corporation that owns the residential complex; (“locataire”)

“utilities” means heat, electricity and water; (“services d’utilité publique”)

“vital service” means hot or cold water, fuel, electricity, gas or, during the part of each year prescribed by the regulations, heat. (“service essentiel”) 2006, c. 17, s. 2 (1).

Interpretation, sublet

(2)  For the purposes of this Act, a reference to subletting a rental unit refers to the situation in which,

(a) the tenant vacates the rental unit;

(b) the tenant gives one or more other persons the right to occupy the rental unit for a term ending on a specified date before the end of the tenant’s term or period; and

(c) the tenant has the right to resume occupancy of the rental unit after that specified date. 2006, c. 17, s. 2 (2).

Interpretation, abandoned

(3)  For the purposes of this Act, a tenant has not abandoned a rental unit if the tenant is not in arrears of rent. 2006, c. 17, s. 2 (3).

Rental unit, clarification

(4)  A rented site for a mobile home or a land lease home is a rental unit for the purposes of this Act even if the mobile home or the land lease home on the site is owned by the tenant of the site. 2006, c. 17, s. 2 (4).

Application of Act

3.  (1)  This Act applies with respect to rental units in residential complexes, despite any other Act and despite any agreement or waiver to the contrary. 2006, c. 17, s. 3 (1).

Conflicts, care homes

(2)  In interpreting a provision of this Act with regard to a care home, if a provision in Part IX conflicts with a provision in another Part of this Act, the provision in Part IX applies. 2006, c. 17, s. 3 (2).

Conflicts, mobile home parks and land lease communities

(3)  In interpreting a provision of this Act with regard to a mobile home park or a land lease community, if a provision in Part X conflicts with a provision in another Part of this Act, the provision in Part X applies. 2006, c. 17, s. 3 (3).

Conflict with other Acts

(4)  If a provision of this Act conflicts with a provision of another Act, other than the Human Rights Code, the provision of this Act applies. 2006, c. 17, s. 3 (4).

Provisions conflicting with Act void

4.  Subject to section 194, a provision in a tenancy agreement that is inconsistent with this Act or the regulations is void. 2006, c. 17, s. 4.

Exemptions from Act

5.  This Act does not apply with respect to,

(a) living accommodation intended to be provided to the travelling or vacationing public or occupied for a seasonal or temporary period in a hotel, motel or motor hotel, resort, lodge, tourist camp, cottage or cabin establishment, inn, campground, trailer park, tourist home, bed and breakfast vacation establishment or vacation home;

(b) living accommodation whose occupancy is conditional upon the occupant continuing to be employed on a farm, whether or not the accommodation is located on that farm;

(c) living accommodation that is a member unit of a non-profit housing co-operative;

(d) living accommodation occupied by a person for penal or correctional purposes;

(e) living accommodation that is subject to the Public Hospitals Act, the Private Hospitals Act, the Community Psychiatric Hospitals Act, the Mental Hospitals Act, the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act, the Nursing Homes Act, the Ministry of Correctional Services Act, the Charitable Institutions Act or the Child and Family Services Act or is listed in Schedule 1 to Regulation 272 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 made under the Developmental Services Act;

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, clause (e) is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2007, chapter 8, section 226 and the following substituted:

(e) living accommodation that is subject to the Public Hospitals Act, the Private Hospitals Act, the Community Psychiatric Hospitals Act, the Mental Hospitals Act, the Long-Term Care Homes Act 2007, the Ministry of Correctional Services Act or the Child and Family Services Act or is listed in Schedule 1 to Regulation 272 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 made under the Developmental Services Act;

See: 2007, c. 8, ss. 226, 232 (2).

Note: If on the day the Statutes of Ontario, 2008, chapter 14, subsection 58 (1) comes into force, the Statutes of Ontario, 2007, chapter 8, section 226 is not in force, clause (e) is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2008, chapter 14, subsection 58 (1) and the following substituted:

(e) living accommodation that is subject to the Public Hospitals Act, the Private Hospitals Act, the Community Psychiatric Hospitals Act, the Mental Hospitals Act, the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act, the Nursing Homes Act, the Ministry of Correctional Services Act, the Charitable Institutions Act or the Child and Family Services Act or is a facility that was,

(i) established under the Developmental Services Act before that Act was repealed by section 63 of the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008, and

(ii) listed in Schedule 1 to Regulation 272 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Developmental Services Act;

See: 2008, c. 14, ss. 58 (1), 64.

Note: If on the day the Statutes of Ontario, 2008, chapter 14, subsection 58 (3) comes into force, the Statutes of Ontario, 2007, chapter 8, section 226 is not in force, clause (e) is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2008, chapter 14, subsection 58 (3) and the following substituted:

(e) living accommodation that is subject to the Public Hospitals Act, the Private Hospitals Act, the Community Psychiatric Hospitals Act, the Mental Hospitals Act, the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act, the Nursing Homes Act, the Ministry of Correctional Services Act, the Charitable Institutions Act or the Child and Family Services Act;

See: 2008, c. 14, ss. 58 (3), 64.

Note: On the later of the day the Statutes of Ontario, 2008, chapter 14, subsection 58 (2) comes into force and the day the Statutes of Ontario, 2007, chapter 8, section 226 comes into force, clause (e) is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2008, chapter 14, subsection 58 (2) and the following substituted:

(e) living accommodation that is subject to the Public Hospitals Act, the Private Hospitals Act, the Community Psychiatric Hospitals Act, the Mental Hospitals Act, the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, the Ministry of Correctional Services Act or the Child and Family Services Act or is a facility that was,

(i) established under the Developmental Services Act before that Act was repealed by section 63 of the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008, and

(ii) listed in Schedule 1 to Regulation 272 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (General) made under the Developmental Services Act;

See: 2008, c. 14, ss. 58 (2), 64.

Note: On the later of the day the Statutes of Ontario, 2008, chapter 14, subsection 58 (4) comes into force and the day the Statutes of Ontario, 2007, chapter 8, section 226 comes into force, clause (e) is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2008, chapter 14, subsection 58 (4) and the following substituted:

(e) living accommodation that is subject to the Public Hospitals Act, the Private Hospitals Act, the Community Psychiatric Hospitals Act, the Mental Hospitals Act, the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, the Ministry of Correctional Services Act or the Child and Family Services Act;

See: 2008, c. 14, ss. 58 (4), 64.

(f) short-term living accommodation provided as emergency shelter;

(g) living accommodation provided by an educational institution to its students or staff where,

(i) the living accommodation is provided primarily to persons under the age of majority, or all major questions related to the living accommodation are decided after consultation with a council or association representing the residents, and

(ii) the living accommodation does not have its own self-contained bathroom and kitchen facilities or is not intended for year-round occupancy by full-time students or staff and members of their households;

(h) living accommodation located in a building or project used in whole or in part for non-residential purposes if the occupancy of the living accommodation is conditional upon the occupant continuing to be an employee of or perform services related to a business or enterprise carried out in the building or project;

(i) living accommodation whose occupant or occupants are required to share a bathroom or kitchen facility with the owner, the owner’s spouse, child or parent or the spouse’s child or parent, and where the owner, spouse, child or parent lives in the building in which the living accommodation is located;

(j) premises occupied for business or agricultural purposes with living accommodation attached if the occupancy for both purposes is under a single lease and the same person occupies the premises and the living accommodation;

(k) living accommodation occupied by a person for the purpose of receiving rehabilitative or therapeutic services agreed upon by the person and the provider of the living accommodation, where,

(i) the parties have agreed that,

(A) the period of occupancy will be of a specified duration, or

(B) the occupancy will terminate when the objectives of the services have been met or will not be met, and

(ii) the living accommodation is intended to be provided for no more than a one-year period;

(l) living accommodation in a care home occupied by a person for the purpose of receiving short-term respite care;

(m) living accommodation in a residential complex in which the Crown in right of Ontario has an interest, if,

(i) the residential complex was forfeited to the Crown in right of Ontario under the Civil Remedies Act, 2001, the Prohibiting Profiting from Recounting Crimes Act, 2002 or the Criminal Code (Canada), or

(ii) possession of the residential complex has been or may be taken in the name of the Crown under the Escheats Act; and

(n) any other prescribed class of accommodation. 2006, c. 17, s. 5; 2007, c. 13, s. 48.

Other exemptions

Homes for special care, developmental services

6.  (1)  Paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of subsection 30 (1) and sections 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 104, 111 to 115, 117, 119 to 134, 136, 140 and 149 to 167 do not apply with respect to,

(a) accommodation that is subject to the Homes for Special Care Act; or

(b) accommodation that is subject to the Developmental Services Act but is not listed in Schedule 1 to Regulation 272 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 made under that Act. 2006, c. 17, s. 6 (1).

Note: On a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor, clause (b) is repealed by the Statutes of Ontario, 2008, chapter 14, subsection 58 (5) and the following substituted:

(b) accommodation that is a supported group living residence under the Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008.

See: 2008, c. 14, ss. 58 (5), 64.

Rules relating to rent

(2)  Sections 104, 111, 112, 120, 121, 122, 126 to 133, 165 and 167 do not apply with respect to a rental unit if,

(a) it was not occupied for any purpose before June 17, 1998;

(b) it is a rental unit no part of which has been previously rented since July 29, 1975; or

(c) no part of the building, mobile home park or land lease community was occupied for residential purposes before November 1, 1991. 2006, c. 17, s. 6 (2).

Exemptions related to social, etc., housing

7.  (1)  Paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of subsection 30 (1), sections 51, 52, 54, 55, 56 and 95 to 99, subsection 100 (2) and sections 101, 102, 104, 111 to 115, 117, 120, 121, 122, 126 to 133, 140, 143, 149, 150, 151, 159, 165 and 167 do not apply with respect to a rental unit described below:

1. A rental unit located in a residential complex owned, operated or administered by or on behalf of the Ontario Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Government of Canada or an agency of either of them.

2. A rental unit in a residential complex described in paragraph 1 whose ownership, operation or management is transferred under the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 to a service manager or local housing corporation as defined in that Act.

3. A rental unit located in a non-profit housing project or other residential complex, if the non-profit housing project or other residential complex was developed or acquired under a prescribed federal, provincial or municipal program and continues to operate under,

i. Part VI of the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000,

ii. an operating agreement, as defined in the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000, or

iii. an agreement made between a housing provider, as defined in the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000, and one or more of,

A. a municipality,

B. an agency of a municipality,

C. a non-profit corporation controlled by a municipality, if an object of the non-profit corporation is the provision of housing,

D. a local housing corporation, as defined in the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000, or

E. a service manager, as defined in the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000.

4. A rental unit that is a non-member unit of a non-profit housing co-operative.

5. A rental unit provided by an educational institution to a student or member of its staff and that is not exempt from this Act under clause 5 (g).

6. A rental unit located in a residential complex owned, operated or administered by a religious institution for a charitable use on a non-profit basis. 2006, c. 17, s. 7 (1); 2006, c. 32, Sched. E, s. 7 (4).

Exemption re 12-month rule

(2)  Section 119 does not apply with respect to,

(a) a rental unit described in paragraph 1, 2, 3 or 4 of subsection (1) if the tenant occupying the rental unit pays rent in an amount geared-to-income due to public funding; or

(b) a rental unit described in paragraph 5 or 6 of subsection (1). 2006, c. 17, s. 7 (2).

Exemption re notice of rent increase

(3)  Sections 116 and 118 do not apply with respect to increases in rent for a rental unit due to increases in the tenant’s income if the rental unit is as described in paragraph 1, 2, 3 or 4 of subsection (1) and the tenant pays rent in an amount geared-to-income due to public funding. 2006, c. 17, s. 7 (3).

Exception, subs. (1), par. 1

(4)  Despite subsection (1), the provisions of this Act set out in that subsection apply with respect to a rental unit described in paragraph 1 of that subsection if the tenant occupying the rental unit pays rent to a landlord other than the Ontario Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Government of Canada or an agency of either of them. 2006, c. 17, s. 7 (4); 2006, c. 32, Sched. E, s. 7 (5).

Same, subs. (1), par. 2

(5)  Despite subsection (1), the provisions of this Act set out in that subsection apply with respect to a rental unit described in paragraph 2 of that subsection if the tenant occupying the rental unit pays rent to a landlord other than a service manager or local housing corporation as defined in the Social Housing Reform Act, 2000 or an agency of either of them. 2006, c. 17, s. 7 (5).

Same, subs. (1), par. 5

(6)  Despite subsection (1), the provisions of this Act set out in that subsection apply with respect to a rent increase for rental units described in paragraph 5 of that subsection if there is a council or association representing the residents of those rental units and there has not been consultation with the council or association respecting the increase. 2006, c. 17, s. 7 (6).

Rent geared-to-income

8.  (1)  If a tenant pays rent for a rental unit in an amount geared-to-income due to public funding and the rental unit is not a rental unit described in paragraph 1, 2, 3 or 4 of subsection 7 (1), paragraph 6 of subsection 30 (1) and Part VII do not apply to an increase in the amount geared-to-income paid by the tenant. 2006, c. 17, s. 8 (1).

Same, assignment, subletting

(2)  Sections 95 to 99, subsection 100 (2), sections 101 and 102, subsection 104 (3) and section 143 do not apply to a tenant described in subsection (1). 2006, c. 17, s. 8 (2).

Application to determine issues

9.  (1)  A landlord or a tenant may apply to the Board for an order determining,

(a) whether this Act or any provision of it applies to a particular rental unit or residential complex;

(b) any other prescribed matter. 2006, c. 17, s. 9 (1).

Order

(2)  On the application, the Board shall make findings on the issue as prescribed and shall make the appropriate order. 2006, c. 17, s. 9 (2).

PART II
TENANCY AGREEMENTS

Selecting prospective tenants

10.  In selecting prospective tenants, landlords may use, in the manner prescribed in the regulations made under the Human Rights Code, income information, credit checks, credit references, rental history, guarantees, or other similar business practices as prescribed in those regulations. 2006, c. 17, s. 10.

Information to be provided by landlord

11.  (1)  If a tenancy agreement is entered into, the landlord shall provide to the tenant information relating to the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, the role of the Board and how to contact the Board. 2006, c. 17, s. 11 (1).

Form

(2)  The information shall be provided to the tenant on or before the date the tenancy begins in a form approved by the Board. 2006, c. 17, s. 11 (2).

Tenancy agreement

Name and address in written agreement

12.  (1)  Every written tenancy agreement entered into on or after June 17, 1998 shall set out the legal name and address of the landlord to be used for the purpose of giving notices or other documents under this Act. 2006, c. 17, s. 12 (1).

Copy of tenancy agreement

(2)  If a tenancy agreement entered into on or after June 17, 1998 is in writing, the landlord shall give a copy of the agreement, signed by the landlord and the tenant, to the tenant within 21 days after the tenant signs it and gives it to the landlord. 2006, c. 17, s. 12 (2).

Notice if agreement not in writing

(3)  If a tenancy agreement entered into on or after June 17, 1998 is not in writing, the landlord shall, within 21 days after the tenancy begins, give to the tenant written notice of the legal name and address of the landlord to be used for giving notices and other documents under this Act. 2006, c. 17, s. 12 (3).

Failure to comply

(4)  Until a landlord has complied with subsections (1) and (2), or with subsection (3), as the case may be,

(a) the tenant’s obligation to pay rent is suspended; and

(b) the landlord shall not require the tenant to pay rent. 2006, c. 17, s. 12 (4).

After compliance

(5)  After the landlord has complied with subsections (1) and (2), or with subsection (3), as the case may be, the landlord may require the tenant to pay any rent withheld by the tenant under subsection (4). 2006, c. 17, s. 12 (5).

Commencement of tenancy

13.  (1)  The term or period of a tenancy begins on the day the tenant is entitled to occupy the rental unit under the tenancy agreement. 2006, c. 17, s. 13 (1).

Actual entry not required

(2)  A tenancy agreement takes effect when the tenant is entitled to occupy the rental unit, whether or not the tenant actually occupies it. 2006, c. 17, s. 13 (2).

“No pet” provisions void

14.  A provision in a tenancy agreement prohibiting the presence of animals in or about the residential complex is void. 2006, c. 17, s. 14.

Acceleration clause void

15.  A provision in a tenancy agreement providing that all or part of the remaining rent for a term or period of a tenancy or a specific sum becomes due upon a default of the tenant in paying rent due or in carrying out an obligation is void. 2006, c. 17, s. 15.

Minimize losses

16.  When a landlord or a tenant becomes liable to pay any amount as a result of a breach of a tenancy agreement, the person entitled to claim the amount has a duty to take reasonable steps to minimize the person’s losses. 2006, c. 17, s. 16.

Covenants interdependent

17.  Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the common law rules respecting the effect of a serious, substantial or fundamental breach of a material covenant by one party to a contract on the obligation to perform of the other party apply with respect to tenancy agreements. 2006, c. 17, s. 17.

Covenants running with land

18.  Covenants concerning things related to a rental unit or the residential complex in which it is located run with the land, whether or not the things are in existence at the time the covenants are made. 2006, c. 17, s. 18.

Frustrated contracts

19.  The doctrine of frustration of contract and the Frustrated Contracts Act apply with respect to tenancy agreements. 2006, c. 17, s. 19.

PART III
RESPONSIBILITIES OF LANDLORDS

Landlord’s responsibility to repair

20.  (1)  A landlord is responsible for providing and maintaining a residential complex, including the rental units in it, in a good state of repair and fit for habitation and for complying with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards. 2006, c. 17, s. 20 (1).

Same

(2)  Subsection (1) applies even if the tenant was aware of a state of non-repair or a contravention of a standard before entering into the tenancy agreement. 2006, c. 17, s. 20 (2).

Landlord’s responsibility re services

21.  (1)  A landlord shall not at any time during a tenant’s occupancy of a rental unit and before the day on which an order evicting the tenant is executed, withhold the reasonable supply of any vital service, care service or food that it is the landlord’s obligation to supply under the tenancy agreement or deliberately interfere with the reasonable supply of any vital service, care service or food. 2006, c. 17, s. 21 (1).

Non-payment

(2)  For the purposes of subsection (1), a landlord shall be deemed to have withheld the reasonable supply of a vital service, care service or food if the landlord is obligated to pay another person for the vital service, care service or food, the landlord fails to pay the required amount and, as a result of the non-payment, the other person withholds the reasonable supply of the vital service, care service or food. 2006, c. 17, s. 21 (2).

Landlord not to interfere with reasonable enjoyment

22.  A landlord shall not at any time during a tenant’s occupancy of a rental unit and before the day on which an order evicting the tenant is executed substantially interfere with the reasonable enjoyment of the rental unit or the residential complex in which it is located for all usual purposes by a tenant or members of his or her household. 2006, c. 17, s. 22.

Landlord not to harass, etc.

23.  A landlord shall not harass, obstruct, coerce, threaten or interfere with a tenant. 2006, c. 17, s. 23.

Changing locks

24.  A landlord shall not alter the locking system on a door giving entry to a rental unit or residential complex or cause the locking system to be altered during the tenant’s occupancy of the rental unit without giving the tenant replacement keys. 2006, c. 17, s. 24.

Privacy

25.  A landlord may enter a rental unit only in accordance with section 26 or 27. 2006, c. 17, s. 25.

Entry without notice

Entry without notice, emergency, consent

26.  (1)  A landlord may enter a rental unit at any time without written notice,

(a) in cases of emergency; or

(b) if the tenant consents to the entry at the time of entry. 2006, c. 17, s. 26 (1).

Same, housekeeping

(2)  A landlord may enter a rental unit without written notice to clean it if the tenancy agreement requires the landlord to clean the rental unit at regular intervals and,

(a) the landlord enters the unit at the times specified in the tenancy agreement; or

(b) if no times are specified, the landlord enters the unit between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. 2006, c. 17, s. 26 (2).

Entry to show rental unit to prospective tenants

(3)  A landlord may enter the rental unit without written notice to show the unit to prospective tenants if,

(a) the landlord and tenant have agreed that the tenancy will be terminated or one of them has given notice of termination to the other;

(b) the landlord enters the unit between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.; and

(c) before entering, the landlord informs or makes a reasonable effort to inform the tenant of the intention to do so. 2006, c. 17, s. 26 (3).

Entry with notice

27.  (1)  A landlord may enter a rental unit in accordance with written notice given to the tenant at least 24 hours before the time of entry under the following circumstances:

1. To carry out a repair or replacement or do work in the rental unit.

2. To allow a potential mortgagee or insurer of the residential complex to view the rental unit.

3. To allow a person who holds a certificate of authorization within the meaning of the Professional Engineers Act or a certificate of practice within the meaning of the Architects Act or another qualified person to make a physical inspection of the rental unit to satisfy a requirement imposed under subsection 9 (4) of the Condominium Act, 1998.

4. To carry out an inspection of the rental unit, if,

i. the inspection is for the purpose of determining whether or not the rental unit is in a good state of repair and fit for habitation and complies with health, safety, housing and maintenance standards, consistent with the landlord’s obligations under subsection 20 (1) or section 161, and

ii. it is reasonable to carry out the inspection.

5. For any other reasonable reason for entry specified in the tenancy agreement. 2006, c. 17, s. 27 (1).

Same

(2)  A landlord or, with the written authorization of a landlord, a broker or salesperson registered under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002, may enter a rental unit in accordance with written notice given to the tenant at least 24 hours before the time of entry to allow a potential purchaser to view the rental unit. 2006, c. 17, s. 27 (2).

Contents of notice

(3)  The written notice under subsection (1) or (2) shall specify the reason for entry, the day of entry and a time of entry between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. 2006, c. 17, s. 27 (3).

Entry by canvassers

28.  No landlord shall restrict reasonable access to a residential complex by candidates for election to any office at the federal, provincial or municipal level, or their authorized representatives, if they are seeking access for the purpose of canvassing or distributing election material. 2006, c. 17, s. 28.

Tenant applications

29.  (1)  A tenant or former tenant of a rental unit may apply to the Board for any of the following orders:

1. An order determining that the landlord has breached an obligation under subsection 20 (1) or section 161.

2. An order determining that the landlord, superintendent or agent of the landlord has withheld the reasonable supply of any vital service, care service or food that it is the landlord’s obligation to supply under the tenancy agreement or deliberately interfered with the reasonable supply of any vital service, care service or food.

3. An order determining that the landlord, superintendent or agent of the landlord has substantially interfered with the reasonable enjoyment of the rental unit or residential complex for all usual purposes by the tenant or a member of his or her household.

4. An order determining that the landlord, superintendent or agent of the landlord has harassed, obstructed, coerced, threatened or interfered with the tenant during the tenant’s occupancy of the rental unit.

5. An order determining that the landlord, superintendent or agent of the landlord has altered the locking system on a door giving entry to the rental unit or the residential complex or caused the locking system to be altered during the tenant’s occupancy of the rental unit without giving the tenant replacement keys.

6. An order determining that the landlord, superintendent or agent of the landlord has illegally entered the rental unit. 2006, c. 17, s. 29 (1).

Time limitation

(2)  No application may be made under subsection (1) more than one year after the day the alleged conduct giving rise to the application occurred. 2006, c. 17, s. 29 (2).

Order, repair, comply with standards

30.  (1)  If the Board determines in an application under paragraph 1 of subsection 29 (1) that a landlord has breached an obligation under subsection 20 (1) or section 161, the Board may do one or more of the following:

1. Terminate the tenancy.

2. Order an abatement of rent.

3. Authorize a repair or replacement that has been or is to be made, or work that has been or is to be done, and order its cost to be paid by the landlord to the tenant.

4. Order the landlord to do specified repairs or replacements or other work within a specified time.

5. Order the landlord to pay a specified sum to the tenant for,

i. the reasonable costs that the tenant has incurred or will incur in repairing or, where repairing is not reasonable, replacing property of the tenant that was damaged, destroyed or disposed of as a result of the landlord’s breach, and

ii. other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that the tenant has incurred or will incur as a result of the landlord’s breach.

6. Prohibit the landlord from charging a new tenant under a new tenancy agreement an amount of rent in excess of the last lawful rent charged to the former tenant of the rental unit, until the landlord has,

i. completed the items in work orders for which the compliance period has expired and which were found by the Board to be related to a serious breach of a health, safety, housing or maintenance standard, and

ii. completed the specified repairs or replacements or other work ordered under paragraph 4 found by the Board to be related to a serious breach of the landlord’s obligations under subsection 20 (1) or section 161.

7. Prohibit the landlord from giving a notice of a rent increase for the rental unit until the landlord has,

i. completed the items in work orders for which the compliance period has expired and which were found by the Board to be related to a serious breach of a health, safety, housing or maintenance standard, and

ii. completed the specified repairs or replacements or other work ordered under paragraph 4 found by the Board to be related to a serious breach of the landlord’s obligations under subsection 20 (1) or section 161.

8. Prohibit the landlord from taking any rent increase for which notice has been given if the increase has not been taken before the date an order under this section is issued until the landlord has,

i. completed the items in work orders for which the compliance period has expired and which were found by the Board to be related to a serious breach of a health, safety, housing or maintenance standard, and

ii. completed the specified repairs or replacements or other work ordered under paragraph 4 found by the Board to be related to a serious breach of the landlord’s obligations under subsection 20 (1) or section 161.

9. Make any other order that it considers appropriate. 2006, c. 17, s. 30 (1).

Advance notice of breaches

(2)  In determining the remedy under this section, the Board shall consider whether the tenant or former tenant advised the landlord of the alleged breaches before applying to the Board. 2006, c. 17, s. 30 (2).

Other orders re s. 29

31.  (1)  If the Board determines that a landlord, a superintendent or an agent of a landlord has done one or more of the activities set out in paragraphs 2 to 6 of subsection 29 (1), the Board may,

(a) order that the landlord, superintendent or agent may not engage in any further activities listed in those paragraphs against any of the tenants in the residential complex;

(b) order that the landlord, superintendent or agent pay a specified sum to the tenant for,

(i) the reasonable costs that the tenant has incurred or will incur in repairing or, where repairing is not reasonable, replacing property of the tenant that was damaged, destroyed or disposed of as a result of the landlord, superintendent or agent having engaged in one or more of the activities listed in those paragraphs, and

(ii) other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that the tenant has incurred or will incur as a result of the landlord, superintendent or agent having engaged in one or more of the activities listed in those paragraphs;

(c) order an abatement of rent;

(d) order that the landlord pay to the Board an administrative fine not exceeding the greater of $10,000 and the monetary jurisdiction of the Small Claims Court;

(e) order that the tenancy be terminated;

(f) make any other order that it considers appropriate. 2006, c. 17, s. 31 (1).

Same

(2)  If in an application under any of paragraphs 2 to 6 of subsection 29 (1) it is determined that the tenant was induced by the conduct of the landlord, the superintendent or an agent of the landlord to vacate the rental unit, the Board may, in addition to the remedies set out in subsection (1), order that the landlord pay a specified sum to the tenant for,

(a) all or any portion of any increased rent which the tenant has incurred or will incur for a one-year period after the tenant has left the rental unit; and

(b) reasonable out-of-pocket moving, storage and other like expenses which the tenant has incurred or will incur. 2006, c. 17, s. 31 (2).

Order, s. 29 (1), par. 5

(3)  If the Board determines, in an application under paragraph 5 of subsection 29 (1), that the landlord, superintendent or agent of the landlord has altered the locking system on a door giving entry to the rental unit or the residential complex, or caused the locking system to be altered, during the tenant’s occupancy of the rental unit without giving the tenant replacement keys, and if the Board is satisfied that the rental unit is vacant, the Board may, in addition to the remedies set out in subsections (1) and (2), order that the landlord allow the tenant to recover possession of the rental unit and that the landlord refrain from renting the unit to anyone else. 2006, c. 17, s. 31 (3).

Effect of order allowing tenant possession

(4)  An order under subsection (3) shall have the same effect, and shall be enforced in the same manner, as a writ of possession. 2006, c. 17, s. 31 (4).

Expiry of order allowing tenant possession